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Iraq civil activists fight to preserve constitutional rights

Despite the civil rights safeguarded by the Iraqi constitution, conservative political parties have been increasing restricting citizens’ freedoms in recent years.
Iraqi Protesters hold a banner during a demonstration against the draft of the "Al-Jafaari" Personal Status Law during International Women's Day in Baghdad March 8, 2014. Protesters say the law, which involves the use of Shi'ite Jafaari law with regards to divorce, marriage and inheritance, will restrict their personal rights, according to local media. On March 8 activists around the globe celebrate International Women's Day, which dates back to the beginning of the 20th Century and has been observed by the
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Conservative political parties of different affiliations have been controlling the political and security landscape in Iraq over the past years. However, all of them have attempted to restrict women’s freedoms and rights. These attempts are still continuing, despite the popular resistance that succeeded in curbing a series of decisions and actions that seemed to belong to the Middle Ages.

There have been undeclared decisions to impose the veil on female employees in some government departments. This is not to mention the decisions of some local governments in the provinces of Wasit and Muthanna, for instance, to force women who are members of the local authorities to be accompanied by their husbands, fathers or brothers during their work and when they leave their houses.

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